FINCHES. 207 



deavored so to mark the characteristic differences as to render 

 their identification a matter of no difficulty. These streaked 

 species, as well as their ground-nesting relations, are often 

 indiscriminately called " Ground Sparrows " ; and likewise a 

 Sparrow's nest found in a bush is referred to the equally vague 

 " Bush Sparrow." One may often hear it said that " the 

 Ground Sparrow sings charmingly " ; but whether this refers to 

 the Field, Song, or Bay-winged Sparrow, it is impossible to 

 say, though doubts are lessened if the bird is described as 

 streaked beneath. It is to be observed that the Savannah 

 Sparrows (with generally dull tints) are most common near 

 the sea, often frequenting marshes, and, like the Yellow-winged 

 Sparrows (unstreaked beneath) who have a preference for dry 

 and sandy fields, are quaintly but not sweetly musical. The 

 Song Sparrows (with generally bright tints) to a certain extent, 

 as the Swamp Sparrows (unstreaked beneath) do exclusively, 

 pass their time in swamps and meadows, and both are sweet 

 musicians, as the Bay-winged Buntings, characterized by their 

 conspicuously white outer tail-feathers, also are. The little 

 " Chippers " and Field Sparrows (unlike the above-mentioned 

 " Yellow-wings ") are brightly tinted above, and (like them) 

 unstreaked below, the former having the breast light gray, the 

 other pale brown or buff. The former is often found in the 

 immediate neighborhood of man, and is unmusical; but the 

 latter sings most charmingly from the fields, pastures, and 

 busby " scrub," which he is ever in. The little streaked female 

 of the Purple Finch, a mellow warbler, should be kept distinct, 

 as should the Lincoln's and the Henslow's Sparrows, who are, 

 however, very rare in Massachusetts, especially the Lincoln's 

 Finch. 



xn. 



A. GRAMINEUS. u Grass Finch." Say-winged Bunting. 

 Say-winged Sparrow. Vesper Sparrow. A common resi- 

 dent in New England, except in the winter season.* 



* A common summer resident, breed- of the mountains of Berkshire County, 



ing wherever there are green fields and Massachusetts, and of northern Maine, 



pastures, from our southern and eastern New Hampshire, and Vermont. W. 



coasts to clearings high on the slopes B. 



